#02 - SEMPILL's mission - 1921 to 1923

Sopwith Pup number I (roman digit).
At least three Pup's were used for test on the battleship Yamashiro, 1921. The only marking on these aircraft's was
the roman digits I, II and III identifying each aircraft.


Lt. Torao Kuwabara photo #1


Sopwith Pup number III (roman digit).
There are no national markings (red hinomaru) on the wings or fuselage sides.


Based on Kuwabara’s feat, the battleship Yamashiro was fitted with a 18 meters flying-off plataform in 1921.


Parnall Panther JN-200
After World War I, when the Japanese Army had confidence to France for training and equipment, the Japanese Navy
thought it would naturally turn to Britain for his own equipment. British pilots and instructors led Japanese in various
techniques, like torpedo attacks, aerial photography, aerial tactics, and so on. The devices were then used to
manufacture trainer British Avro 504K, fighters Sopwith Pup and Gloster Sparrowhawk, reconnaissance Parnall Panther,
torpedo-bomber Sopwith Cuckoo and Blackburn Swift and finally seaplane Supermarine Channel and F5.


Parnall Panther photo #1
12 aircraft Parnall Panther were supplied to Japan in 1921-22.
PHOTO CREDIT: site http://blog.goo.ne.jp/summer-ochibo


Parnall Panther JN-203
These influences introduced by France and Britain sustained and marked in many ways the construction of the
Japanese Army and Navy air forces. This also led to the need to own aircraft types in the country and development
of the aviation industry. Many companies and factories were born and brought them military engineers excited about
this new challenge. The company that had the most success was therefore one that got the most of the needs of
the military. The civilian were thus very limited and restricted.


Japanese Navy Air Force operated 6 Sopwith Cuckoo II. It is a single-seat torpedo bomber aircraft powered
by a 200 hp Wolseley Viper piston engine. They were numbered J. N. 310 to J. N. 316.


Sopwith Cuckoo II photo #1


Sopwith Cuckoo II photo #2


JN-400 is a Gloster Sparrowhawk I or a land based fighter.


JN-400 photo #1
This is a Gloster Sparrowhawk I or a land based fighter. Upon arrival Gloster Sparrowhawks were photographed without
hinomaru but with markings applied by the British manufacturers indicating they were destined for Japan. The fuselage
markings consisted of the type of the aircraft and the letters “JN.” (Japanese Navy) followed by the serial number of the
individual aircraft accompanied by a large “J” on the tail.
INFO CREDIT: http://arawasi-wildeagles.blogspot.com.br/2012/03/hinomaru-pt-3.html?m=1


JN-401 is a Gloster Sparrowhawk II or a biplace/training fighter.


JN-401 photo #1
The Gloster Sparrowhawk was a British single seat fighter aircraft of the early 1920's. A development by
Gloster Aircraft Company of the earlier Nieuport Nighthawk fighter, 50 aircraft were built by Gloster for the
Imperial Japanese Navy, with a further 40 being assembled in Japan, being operated from 1921 to 1928.
INFO CREDIT: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloster_Sparrowhawk


JN-406 is a Gloster Sparrowhawk I or a land based fighter.


Captain Sempill showing  a Gloster Sparrowhawk to Admiral Heihachirõ Togo, Japan, 1921.
The resulting Sparrowhawk was made from existing stocks of stored Nighthawk components, but replacing the
Dragonfly with the Bentley BR2 rotary engine, allowing Japan's order for 50 Gloster built aircraft and a further 40 in
component form for manufacture at the Yokosuka Naval Air Technical Arsenal to be quickly met. Of the 50 Gloster built Sparrowhawks, 30 were Sparrowhawk I land based fighters, 10 Sparrowhawk II twin seat advanced trainers and the
remaining 10 completed as Sparrowhawk III shipboard fighters. The Sparrowhawk IIIs, which were similar to the
22 Gloster Nightjar carrier fighters produced to operate from the Royal Navy's aircraft carriers, were fitted with appropriate flotation equipment and arrestor gear. The 40 Yokosuka assembled aircraft were completed as Sparrowhawk Is.
INFO CREDIT: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloster_Sparrowhawk


JN-406 photo #2


JN-407 is a Gloster Sparrowhawk I or a land based fighter.


JN-407 photo #1
The Sparrowhawk entered service with the Japanese Navy in 1921, with the 10 Sparrowhawk IIIs being used for
flight training operations from ramps built on one of the gun turrets of the Battleship Yamashiro. Although used for
training from the Yamashiro, the Sparrowhawks were never operated from the Hosho, with it being replaced for shipboard operations by the purpose designed Mitsubishi 1MF fighter before Hosho entered service. The Sparrowhawk continued in
service from shore bases until 1928, when it was retired from use as a trainer. INFO CREDIT: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloster_Sparrowhawk


JN-431 is a Gloster Sparrowhawk I or a land based fighter.


JN-433 is a Gloster Sparrowhawk I or a land based fighter.


JN-434 is a Gloster Sparrowhawk I or a land based fighter.
More info about Gloster Sparrowhawk at: http://www.j-aircraft.com/drawings/johan/sparrowhawk.htm


JN-434 photo #1


JN-435 is a Gloster Sparrowhawk III or a carrier based fighter.


JN-435 photo #1


JN-436 is a Gloster Sparrowhawk III or a carrier based fighter.


JN-436 photo #1


JN-440 is a Gloster Sparrowhawk I or a land based fighter.


JN-440 photo #1


JN-440 detail photo #1


JN-442 is a Gloster Sparrowhawk I or a land based fighter.


JN-442 photo #1


Blackburn Dart Swift II and  Sopwith Cuckoo II photo #1


Blackburn Dart Swift II side number 1.


Blackburn torpedo bomber photo #1


Blackburn Dart Swift II side number 2.


Blackburn torpedo bomber photo #2


Blackburn torpedo bomber photo #3
Blackburn Dart Swift II is an export model of the Dart retained the name Swift Mk II. This torpedo bomber used the
450hp Napier Lion engine. Two were supplied for the Japanese Navy. Later, these two planes were numbered #1 and #2.
These numbers were painted in black on plane's side fuselage.